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Nebraska death penalty foes to launch statewide campaign

Nebraska has abolished the death penalty in a landmark veto-override vote backed by a coalition of conservatives who oppose capital punishment.

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Nebraska death penalty foes to launch statewide campaign

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Updated: 1:01 PM CST Feb 23, 2016

LINCOLN, Neb. —

Nebraska death penalty opponents are launching a statewide campaign with a new name.

The group Retain a Just Nebraska will announce the next phase of its campaign Wednesday at the Capitol. The organization previously operated under the name Nebraskans for Public Safety.

Retain a Just Nebraska will ask voters to reject a proposal that would keep the death penalty legal in Nebraska. Lawmakers abolished capital punishment in May, but death penalty supporters responded with a petition drive that suspended the new law until voters decide the issue in the November general election.

Nebraska currently has 10 men on death row. Gov. Pete Ricketts has said the state will not pursue any executions until voters decide whether to keep the death penalty.